Air-Fried Wonton Chips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Wonton chips are a versatile snack that can be made in an air fryer with minimal preparation and ingredients. They are a healthier alternative to deep-fried wonton strips, which are often served in Chinese restaurants. With just three ingredients and a few simple steps, you can make crunchy, golden brown wonton chips that are perfect for dipping, salads, soups, or even as a snack on their own.

Choosing the right wonton wrappers

Wonton wrappers are typically found in the refrigerated produce section of your local grocery store or Asian market. They are usually located near the tofu, fresh noodles, or refrigerated salad dressings. If you can't find them at your supermarket, try looking in the frozen section of an Asian grocery store.

Wonton wrappers are made with a combination of flour, egg, salt, and water, resulting in paper-thin dough. They are used in Asian cooking to create dishes like crab rangoon, wontons, egg rolls, and more.

When selecting wonton wrappers for your chips, there are a few things to consider:

Type of Wrapper

There are a few types of wrappers that you can use to make wonton chips, each resulting in a slightly different texture:

• Wonton wrappers: These will give you crispy, light, and airy chips with a delicate crunch.
• Dumpling wrappers: Thicker and denser than wonton wrappers, these will produce crunchier and denser chips.
• Egg roll wrappers: These are similar to dumpling wrappers in taste but are larger in size.
• Spring roll wrappers: These create very delicate, light, and crispy brittle chips, so handle with care during the frying process.

Texture Preference

The type of wrapper you choose will depend on the texture you prefer in your wonton chips. If you like your chips light and airy, go with wonton wrappers. If you prefer a crunchier texture, dumpling or egg roll wrappers are better options. Spring roll wrappers will give you the most delicate and crispy chips.

Storage Options

If you have extra wrappers, you can store them in the freezer in a Ziploc bag with as much air pushed out as possible. Defrost them in the fridge the night before you plan to use them.

Oil Considerations

When it comes to oil, wonton wrappers are best paired with a light spray or brush of olive oil, sesame oil, or avocado oil. If you're pan-frying or deep-frying, oils with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil are good choices. However, keep in mind that peanut oil can be expensive and may not be suitable if serving to those with peanut allergies.

Cutting the wrappers into triangles

Then, cut each large triangle in half again, creating four smaller triangles. You can also cut the wrappers into quarters, which will give you smaller chips. If you want to make wonton strips instead of chips, simply cut the wrappers into thin strips rather than triangles.

Place the cut wrappers close together but not touching in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You can also lay them flat on a silicone liner in your air fryer to avoid sticking and make cleanup easier. If you are using an oil spray, spray the tops of the wrappers with oil before placing them in the air fryer. If you are using a brush to apply oil, you can do this after placing them in the air fryer.

Now you are ready to air fry your wonton chips!

Spraying with oil

Spraying your wonton wrappers with oil is an important step in making wonton chips in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Choosing the Oil

You can use a variety of oils for spraying your wonton wrappers. Olive oil is a popular choice, and you can use extra virgin olive oil for added flavour. Other options include avocado oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, or sesame oil. You can also use a combination of olive oil and sesame oil for a unique flavour profile. If you want to experiment with flavours, you can try using infused oils or oils with a high smoke point.

Applying the Oil

When it comes to applying the oil, you have a few options. The simplest method is to use a spray bottle filled with your chosen oil and give the wrappers a light spritz. You can also use a cooking oil spray, such as an olive oil or avocado oil spray, which is designed to evenly coat the surface. Alternatively, you can use a pastry brush to lightly brush the oil onto the wrappers. This method gives you more control over the amount of oil applied but may take longer.

Amount of Oil

Regardless of the application method, it's important to use only a small amount of oil. A light coating is all that's needed to achieve the desired crispness. Over-oiling may result in greasy chips. When using a spray bottle or cooking spray, hold the bottle or spray can about 6 inches away from the wrappers and spray in a sweeping motion to ensure even coverage without overdoing it.

Timing of Oil Application

The best time to apply the oil is just before placing the wonton wrappers into the air fryer. Cut the wrappers into your desired shape, such as triangles or strips, and lay them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Then, spray or brush the oil onto the wrappers, ensuring that all surfaces are coated. If you are cooking in batches, apply oil to each batch just before placing them in the air fryer.

Oil Application Techniques

For even oil distribution, hold the spray bottle or pastry brush about 6 to 8 inches away from the wrappers and use a sweeping motion to cover the entire surface. If using a brush, work in gentle strokes, ensuring that the oil is evenly distributed. It is important not to oversaturate the wrappers, as this can lead to greasy chips. A light coating is all that is needed for the wrappers to crisp up nicely.

Air frying

Ingredients

You will need wonton wrappers, which you can find in most grocery stores in the refrigerated produce section or at Asian markets. You can also use egg roll wrappers, which are similar but larger, so you'll need to cut them down to size.

For the oil, you can use a spray or a brush with olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, or any other vegetable oil you prefer.

Finally, you'll need salt to season your chips. You can use regular table salt, sea salt, or even seasoned salt for extra flavour.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer.
• Cut the wonton wrappers into triangles or strips. You can also cut them into different shapes and sizes depending on how you plan to use the chips. For example, long strips are great for salads or soups, while larger chips are better for dipping.
• Lightly coat both sides of the wrappers with oil using a brush or a spray.
• Place the wonton wrappers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap too much. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chips are done when they are golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the chips from the air fryer and immediately season with salt. The salt will stick better to the chips when they are still warm.
• Allow the chips to cool completely before serving or storing.

Tips

• Make sure the wonton wrappers are dry before frying to ensure crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Keep a close eye on the chips as they cook, as they can go from golden to dark very quickly.
• For extra flavour, experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, everything bagel seasoning, or even cinnamon sugar for a sweet version.

Storing

These wonton chips are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. They will lose their crispiness after that, but you can recrisp them in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can also freeze the chips for longer storage. They will keep for up to 3-4 months in the freezer, but the texture may change slightly once thawed.

Storing and serving

Once you've made your wonton chips, it's important to let them cool completely before storing them. This will prevent moisture from building up and ensure they stay crispy. Store your chips in an airtight container or bag at room temperature. They will stay fresh for 2-7 days, depending on the recipe. If you want to freeze your chips for later, they can be stored in a freezer bag or container for up to 3-4 months.

Wonton chips are a versatile snack and can be served in a variety of ways. They make a great alternative to tortilla chips or potato chips and can be served with dips such as salsa, guacamole, spinach and artichoke dip, or sweet and sour sauce. They also work well as a crunchy topping for soups and salads. For a delicious appetizer, try making loaded vegetarian nachos with your wonton chips or pair them with dips like crab spinach artichoke dip or lemon dill hummus.

If you want to get creative, experiment with different seasonings and flavours for your chips. Some popular options include ranch seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, cinnamon sugar, or grated parmesan cheese. You can also try using different types of oil and salt to change up the flavour profile.

Wonton chips are best served fresh, but if you need to crisp them up again, simply heat them in the air fryer or oven at 325°F for 2-3 minutes.

Frequently asked questions